Dear Miss Lonelyhearts | ||||
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Studio album by Cold War Kids | ||||
Released | April 2, 2013 | |||
Recorded | September–November 2012 in San Pedro, California | |||
Genre | Indie rock | |||
Length | 36:40 | |||
Label | Downtown, Mercury, V2 | |||
Producer | Lars Stalfors and Dann Gallucci | |||
Cold War Kids chronology | ||||
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Singles from Dear Miss Lonelyhearts | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 66/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Alternative Press | (favorable) |
Associated Press | (mixed) |
The Boston Globe | (favorable) |
Consequence of Sound | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | (7/10) |
Paste | (7.1/10.0) |
Q | (mixed) |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Uncut | (mixed) |
Dear Miss Lonelyhearts is the fourth studio album by American indie rock band Cold War Kids. The album was released on April 2, 2013 through Downtown Records.
Following the mixed reception of 2011's Mine Is Yours and the departure of original guitarist Jonnie Russell, the band recruited former Modest Mouse guitarist Dann Gallucci to take Russell's place and also co-produce the album with Lars Stalfors. The band spent three months in their San Pedro home studio to work on the album. The album's title takes its inspiration from Nathanael West's 1933 novel Miss Lonelyhearts.
The album received a mildly positive reception from critics who saw it as a return to form for the band after their previous album. Dear Miss Lonelyhearts debuted at number 51 on the Billboard 200 and spawned only one single: "Miracle Mile".
Prior to recording, the band's original guitarist Jonnie Russell left the group, leading the band to recruit former Modest Mouse guitarist Dann Gallucci. Gallucci co-produced the record with Lars Stalfors, noted for his production work with Matt & Kim and Funeral Party. Gallucci strived for "spacious, audacious sounds" instead of the band's usual "grit-rock." The record was recorded at the group's home studio in San Pedro, and experimented by adding drum machines.Dear Miss Lonelyhearts takes inspiration from Nathanael West's 1933 novel Miss Lonelyhearts, which revolves around an advice columnist who has a crisis about his readers suffering. "The struggle of his character worked their way into many of the songs," said vocalist Nathan Willett. The record features more electronic compositions, influenced in part by groups New Order and Depeche Mode. The album cover was designed by bassist Matt Maust, who designs every Cold War Kids release. The typography uses Bodoni, a typeface commonly used by pop stars such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey.